It’s so frustratingwhen you’ve got a problem you need to solve, and nothing’s coming to you—no ideas that will help move things forward. Maybe you talk with others to try and gather perspectives. Or you dive into the Google rabbit hole to look at how others have solved the problem. But there’s nothing. You want something new, something innovative—not just the same old approach everyone else uses. But you’ve run dry. How can you get that spark of inspiration you need?
There’s a lot of guidance out there on problem-solving. Multi-step processes include defining the problem, analyzing the problem, and developing potential solutions. However, the last part is the hard part! You might know the problem, and understand the issues, but no magical solutions arrive. I’d argue the challenge is mindset. Sometimes, the best approach is to forget about it.
Consider this: They say you get the best inspiration when doing things like taking a shower or a walk. Yes, these activities help you focus on something other than the problem. But take it a step further.
First, focus on the bigger picture—what problem are you really trying to solve? Maybe what you’re looking at is only a symptom of a bigger issue. For instance, Kodak focused on improving its film printing technology instead of adapting to the emerging digital photography market, ultimately leading to its decline as digital cameras became the dominant form of photography. They were essentially trying to “fix” a problem that no longer existed.
Second, by examining what others do outside of your industry – are there creative solutions you never considered because your peers didn’t utilize them? If you are in an industrial space, what do other companies do in the food service industry to solve the same problem? For instance, in restaurants like Subway, customers customize their sandwiches from a selection of bread, fillings, and toppings. This modular approach ensures variety without overwhelming complexity in preparation. A furniture manufacturer could implement modular assembly lines, allowing customers to design products like desks, chairs, or shelving systems by choosing components online.
Third, walk away from the problem. Forget about it for at least 48 hours. Do other activities that utilize a different part of your brain – because it gives your mind a chance to rest and reset. For instance, mental tasks, like solving math problems, mostly use the prefrontal cortex (your “thinking” brain). Physical tasks, like painting or walking, activate areas responsible for movement and sensory input, giving your analytical brain a break. Shifting to physical tasks can spark creative insights. When your brain switches to a less focused state, it often connects ideas in unexpected ways.
Don’t underestimate the value of thinking and non-thinking time. Complex challenges require a lot of mental effort to solve, and sometimes, this means taking what you might see as non-productive time to process, digest, and understand the situation. Only then do you have the groundwork laid to develop a solution that becomes that ‘ah-ha’ moment. It’s about stepping back from the shoreline to see the whole ocean.
About the Author:
Andrea Belk Olson, CEO of Pragmadik, is trained as a behavioral scientist and customer-centricity expert. She helps executives implement the art and science of operationalizing corporate strategy through understanding organizational and mindsets. She is the author of three business books, including her most recent, What To Ask: How To Learn What Customers Need but Don’t Tell You.
She is a 4x ADDY award winner and contributing writer to INC Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Rotman Magazine, World Economic Forum, and more. Andrea is also an entrepreneurial adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa and TED speaker coach.
More information is also available on www.pragmadik.com and www.andreabelkolson.com.
